Measure E, O Makeover at Edendale Middle School

For students returning to this school year, it may seem as though they are stepping foot onto a brand-new campus.

Funded by bonds from Measure E and Measure O, the district and the state, the Edendale projects are some of the largest in the .

"Edendale was the last school to get [Measure] E improvements, but it's also the first to receive Measure O," said Lowell Shira, assistant superintendent for the SLZUSD.

Projects completed over summer included repainting the hallways, a renovated library, a freshly laid track and field, and a new gym, performance stage and music room.

"The school is becoming a community center for Ashland," said principal John Shimko.

The scent of hardwood floors has never smelled sweeter and artifical turf has never felt softer as both the gym and athletic field will be part of a "joint use" space with Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, open to community recreational activities.

HARD contributed over $800,000 toward the new athletic field as part of a 2004 grant — the same grant that funded nearby Holland Park. The rest of the costs were covered by the district and Measure O.

Shimko said the school is now in the process of getting athletic equipment to be used for track meets.

After several decades, the hallways' interior and exterior finally got a fresh coat of coffee-colored paint.

Two rooms were merged to create the new library. The book collection grew and new computers for students were added.

Students can play instruments to their heart's content inside the new music building, equiped with plenty of storage and three practice rooms. Soundproof walls mean students in other classes won't be disturbed.

"The building's big enough to house a large ensemble," Shimko said.

The total cost of all these improvements? About $4 million, said Shira.

Evenmore renovations and additions are under way at Edendale.

An additional parking lot, expected to be completed by October, 2012, will offer faculty, staff and parents plenty of parking spots and will come in especially handy during future track meets.

A small classroom facility next to the gym will be converted to locker rooms — its original purpose —now that a new gym has been built.

Another major addition will be the three-lab science building, expected to be completed by the beginning of fall, 2012. It will replace part of the blacktop playground space.

Principal Shimko first came to Edendale in 1997 as a teacher — the same year the school became a middle school, serving grades 6-8 instead of K-5.

After working at several other schools, Shimko returned nearly three years ago, this time as Edendale's principal. He says it has been an amazing experience to witness the completion of the school's new look with some of the veteran teachers.

"The most memorable moment was seeing the faces of those who have been here for more than 10 years and being so moved by it all," he said.